Extracting Avocado Oil for Value Addition in Kenya  REMIX 

Abstract

Avocado is grown in Kenya on small to medium-scale level

Due to completion from Israel and South Africa and strict quality requirements such as size, colour, correct ripeness and general aesthetic for export avocado farmers are not able to export the fruit. In the early 80's avocado exports to European markets earned the country a substantial amount of foreign exchange but not any more. The European markets now has interests on Kenya flowers which are farmed only on a large scale basis leaving small scale farmers with little to lean back on.

In avocado growing area the produced ids far much more than the local markets can absorb. This leads to very low market prices (as low as 30 cents)

Supply to local markets is further constrained by transportation hitches caused by poor road and communication network

There is need to actively

Market the fruit. Oil extraction from the pulp is a potential project that needs commercial undertaking. There is high demand for avocado oil for cosmetic industry

Cosmetic industry

Avocado is used in cleansing creams, moisturizers, skin care products, hair conditioners, lipstick, sun lotions, bath oils and makeup bases (Swishier HE 88')

Most of these products can be found retail outlets in Nairobi

Clinical trials in the USA have shown that avocado oil is absorbed by the skin more readily than any other cosmetic oils including corn, soybean, almond and olive oil.

It is thus an important medium that can be used effectively as a carrier of useful compounds into the endodermis (beneath the skin surface)

Avocado ranks high as natural oil sunscreen ranking higher than coconut, olive, peanut, sunflower, sweet almond, sesame and jojoba oils.

Avocado oil contains lipid-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K and the water-soluble vitamins B1, b2, PP, B5, B6 and H

Protein, lecithin, linoleum acid, folic acid and potassium (mineral)

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals that can cause damage to the skin and hair

Avocado oil is next, almost as high valued as aloe Vera

Avocado soaps

Coconut, sunflower, and olive oils in addition to caustic soda are used to make soap

Avocado can also be used to produce skin cream and hair gel locally. All that is needed is bee wax, distilled water, some perfume, oil based colour and crude avocado oil.

For avocado hair gel the ingredients are crude avocado oil bee wax, perfume, and an oil based colour

In Kenya, pure nature products is the only company currently manufacturing and selling avocado oil in Kenya

In order to add value to we have to invest in alternative ways to gain more from avocado and its by products